Stillwater: A Novel
by William F. Weld
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In 1938, five towns in western Massachusetts were flooded to create a huge reservoir. In this beautifully rendered novel of coming of age, of loyalty and betrayal, good and evil, and of bravery and an abiding love, Stillwater marks a significant literary step forward for William Weld in what has already emerged as a notable writing career. Fifteen-year-old Jamieson, who lives on a farm with his ironic and strong-willed grandmother, watches life unravel for the men and women whose world is show more about to be obliterated. Some take refuge in whiskey or denial, some give in to despair, some preach hypocrisy -- and some decide to turn a profit on their fellow citizens' misfortunes. Jamieson falls in love for the first and hardest time with the unforgettable Hannah, a dreamy girl from the poor farm. She enriches his sense of what is being lost by recalling lives that were lived in the Valley during the French and Indian War, the insurrection of Daniel Shays, and the War between the States. Jamieson feels in his bones that the living are surrounded by the dead. As the seasons turn during the towns' final year, events spin out of control. Church services are supplanted by pagan rituals in the woods, public morality is undone by the exposure of a "disorderly house," and any semblance of a normal life on the farms is undermined by the impending flood. In September, the hurricane of 1938 completes the Valley's destruction. As Jamieson is losing the world of his boyhood, it is Hannah who opens his eyes to wider possibilities and helps him taste a measure of revenge on the men who sold out the Valley towns. It is not so difficult, after all, for the living and the dead to change places. Weld has been praised by the New York Times for his "writer's eye and ear." Stillwater illuminates nature's magnificence, man's inhumanity, people's courage, and the destiny of place that is characteristic of America. show lessTags
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"Stillwater" contains the very sympathetic portrait of sixteen year-old Jamieson Kooby during the summer before his home town is flooded under a reservoir. The author, William Weld, is a former governor of Massachusetts, and I don't know how much actual history went into the political and social occurrences in this story. Jamieson spends the idyllic summer riding flowing streams and having high times. Some of these high times involve a young woman, Hannah, who is touched with the supernatural. She remembers former lives from Colonial and Civil War times. As the damming proceeds she apparently drowns (maybe). Part muse, part oracle, and part vamp, she represents an ideal female companion, including having an extremely just and moral show more nature.
This story leaves the details of the politcal wrangling leading up to the stopping (stilling) of the waters, and concentrates instead on the effects on the lives of its cadre of young people. Water in motion means flowing lives and feelings. What really happens to Hannah? Her life means thrilling possibilities for Jamieson, and her death comes when the waters are stilled.
Weld creates beautiful portraits of the teens' lives, and we have an exceedingly sympathetic picture of the lead character. This is a fine story, put together with high skill. I am extremely pleased I read it.
http://bassoprofundo1.blogspot.com/2010/06/stillwater-by-william-f-weld.html show less
This story leaves the details of the politcal wrangling leading up to the stopping (stilling) of the waters, and concentrates instead on the effects on the lives of its cadre of young people. Water in motion means flowing lives and feelings. What really happens to Hannah? Her life means thrilling possibilities for Jamieson, and her death comes when the waters are stilled.
Weld creates beautiful portraits of the teens' lives, and we have an exceedingly sympathetic picture of the lead character. This is a fine story, put together with high skill. I am extremely pleased I read it.
http://bassoprofundo1.blogspot.com/2010/06/stillwater-by-william-f-weld.html show less
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